Head coach: Jesus Patino
2011-12 record: 15-15
Players to watch: LeRon Black (6-7, Jr., F),
Chris Chiozza (5-11, Jr., G),
Davell Roby (6-5, Jr., G/F),
Derrick Dandridge (6-6, Jr., F),
Nych Smith (5-10, So., G)
Strengths: Last year's disappointing 15-15 record snapped a 16-year streak of 20-plus win seasons for this storied Memphis program. Expect the Spartans to be back in a big way in 2012-13. Long regarded as a tantalizing forward prospect, Black appears to be coming into his own as a player after a big summer with Team Thad. One analyst tabbed him the nation's top 2014 prospect in recent weeks. Chiozza, a transfer from Bartlett, is the floor general White Station was missing last winter. He specializes in pushing the pace and finding teammates in transition. Roby, Dandridge and Smith round out a cast of nine returning varsity players.
Question marks: Are the Spartans still a year away? Going from 15-15 to preseason Xcellent 25 is a big step. Is Patino's team ready to contend, or will this simply be the run-up to a potentially special 2013-14 campaign?
